CENTRE of Excellence Bhopal lifted the prestigious trophy of the First All India Ahmad Sher Khan Hockey Tournament, which concluded at SAI Centre, Bishenkheri, on Monday.

CENTRE of Excellence Bhopal lifted the prestigious trophy of the First All India Ahmad Sher Khan Hockey Tournament, which concluded at SAI Centre, Bishenkheri, on Monday.

After splendid performance in the league matches, the SAI Centre of Excellence, Bhopal and STC Bhopal were determined to win the final match. STC Bhopal opened the account in the eighth minute of the match when Juned netted the ball.

However, after this goal, STC Bhopal team adopted defensive strategy that made problems in the 16th minute when the umpire awarded penalty corner to the opponents for obstructing the player in a wrong way. Mubeen-ur-Rehman capitalised on the opportunity and made the score level. The first half ended with the score 1-1.

Second part of the match saw the complete domination by the Centre of Excellence. STC Bhopal that was demonstrating skilled hockey in the first half lost the rhythm in the second part of the match. Such was the struggle of the team that they failed to convert some close opportunities. Centre of Excellence intensified their attacks and scored two goals in the half. Imran Ali and Mubeen-ur-Rehman were the scorers.

Chief guest of the prize distribution function former chief minister Uma Bharti distributed prizes to the teams. In her address, she called on the senior players to revive the golden period of hockey. On the occasion, Organising committee president and former Olympian Aslam Sher Khan, Braj Mohan Shrivastava, Sunil Nayak, Prakash, Ajay Gupta, Shakil Qureshi and others were present.